The Hot Springs, Ark. path to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve continues Saturday with the 1 1/16-mile Rebel Stakes, a $1.25 million race and the third of four qualifying races at Oaklawn Park for 3-year-olds targeting the 2024 run for the roses.
Big-Race Showdown: Expert Picks for Honeybee, Rebel Stakes
For the eighth year in a row, America’s Best Racing is challenging some of the brightest minds in horse betting to come up with their top three picks for key races every weekend leading up to the 2024 Triple Crown and then continuing through the 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The handicappers face off in what we like to call the “Big-Race Showdown.”
Back to Work for Champion Pretty Mischievous
Last year's Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous (f, 4, Into Mischief-Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) recorded her first work since her championship campaign Thursday morning at Palm Meadows in Florida. The three furlongs she covered in :37.65 was her first breeze in nearly four months.
“She went nice, just an easy three-eighths and galloped out a half-mile,” said trainer Brendan Walsh. “It went good and we are glad to get her back on the work tab.
“We've done plenty of galloping with her the last few weeks at Palm Meadows to get a good bottom on her. She looks like she's done very well with her little break and we look forward to the year ahead.”
Pretty Mischievous captured the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Acorn S., and GI Test S. en route to championship honors. For more on her career and return to racing for another season, see our update earlier this month from Steve Sherack.
Walsh indicated the 'TDN Rising Star' does not have a specific target as yet.
“We'll just see how things fare down here,” he said. “We won't be in any rush with her. We'll let her tell us when she's ready.”
Continued Walsh, “We are very proud of her. She was a tribute to everybody on the Godolphin team and my own team here. Hopefully she moves forward this year and I think we can have another very good year with her if she does.”
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GISW Slow Down Andy Retired from Racing
Last fall's GI Awesome Again S. winner Slow Down Andy (Nyquist–Edwina E, by Square Eddie) has reportedly suffered a sesamoid injury and has been retired from racing, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. The announcement was attributed to trainer Doug O'Neill, who also said the 5-year-old could possibly stand at stud this year.
A homebred for Paul and Zillah Reddam's Reddam Racing LLC, Slow Down Andy defeated Defunded (Dialed In) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft)–both set to contest the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Saturday–in the Awesome Again but was sidelined with some filling in his ankle a few days after the race and missed the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
In addition to the Awesome Again, Slow Down Andy also won the GII Del Mar Derby, the GII Los Alamitos Futurity, and the GIII Sunland Park Derby. He also hit the board in another seven black-type events, including the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the GI Pacific Classic, and the 2022 Awesome Again. The California-bred retires with a record of 14-5-4-3 and earnings of $1,276,600.
The post GISW Slow Down Andy Retired from Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
